Our guest: Booker Prize winner author Geetanjali Shree

The renowned Indian writer, Geetanjali Shree, won the acclaimed International Booker Prize in 2022 for her novel Tomb of Sand.  

This has been the first time a Hindi novel was awarded the prize. The book describes how, towards the end of her life and after the loss of her husband, an elderly lady, called tellingly Ma (Mother) rejects the various roles forced on her by society and experiments to find her true self. During the process, she redefines her relations with her children, too. The story follows her journey back to her homeland in Pakistan which she had to abandon during  Partition. The voyage helps her confront a long buried but unresolved trauma. Although the novel examines serious life-themes about the individual and society, gender roles, historical traumas, aging, etc., the book is praised for its light and humorous style. 

Besides Tomb of Sand, Geetanjali Shree published four novels and five short story collections.

During her English-language lecture, the distinguished writer will discuss stereotypes about India, including but not limited to women, mother tongue and literature in India – all through a writer's eyes. After the lecture, the audience is welcome and encouraged to engage in discussion with the Booker Prize winning author.

All interested are warmly welcome!